I am running an i7 9700k at 4.9 GHz on an MSI Z390 Gaming Plus board (in a standard ATX case), so obviously need a decent cooler. I had previously been able to get 4.5 GHz using a cheaper Arctic cooler, which ran well, but the system was at it's limit. So, my observations:
- Not the easiest in the world to fit, but ok. Fitting instructions come in paper form, and are easy enough to follow. It has to be said, I do have some spatial awareness issues, so I'm not the best at this type of thing, but I got it done (maybe in half an hour after having a good read at the instructions and separating out the different fittings to avoid confusion). It's a big beast, and it gets bigger if you add the second fan (which I was not able to at the time of fitting). The second fan might have fitted, but it would have meant crushing the cabling up into a corner, something I wasn't comfortable with. I might be able to sort this out with cable ties at a later time. Do what I didn't, and take out the GPU before fitting! My case also had 2 silly fans built into the case wall, and I had to remove these to get the case closed again. Also, I observed that for my own board, the second fan would only fit onto one side of the radiator nearest the front), as on the other side, the board heatsink impeded this. RAM clearance was not an issue for me. I have one block of regular RAM, and the radiator overhangs it. If you think you will be pushed for space in a standard case, you are quite right!
- Performance: Well, first class. My system will now run Handbrake at 4.9 GHz, reaching a maximum of 64C after a while. Previously at 4.5 GHz with the Arctic cooler (a good cooler in it's own right), it was hitting 90-100C immediately. Basically, at 4.9GHz, I'm hitting other issues with the overclock, but heat is not one of them. Bear in mind, this is without the second fan fitted.
- Noise: There isn't any, fairly much. Under full load it sounds the same as it does with no load. It's as quiet as a machine at idle. I'm quite amazed by that, since the other cooler I used (like I said, pretty good) was working like crazy at 90C, and was a bit noisy. I have no experience with liquid cooling (nor do I want any), but I gather that this cooler might be as quiet.
I wanted a cooler I could throw pretty much anything at, and I appear to have it. It's not cheap, but if you can afford it, and need it, go for it. It has a 6 year warranty as well, so all in I'm pretty pleased. It's probably easier to fit for someone with more experience than me, so I wouldn't let that put you off. Just read the instructions!
Comes with thermal paste (which I didn't use as I have some already), a low noise adapter (I have no idea why and I didn't use) and a Y splitter cable to allow 2 fans to be linked to one CPU fan port on the board.
Additional information 25 Mar 2023. Been using for 2 years now, does exactly what I need, and has never missed a beat. My clock speed has been increased to 5Ghz recently, temperatures are still in the 70s, maximum. As for my statement regards the noise of the cooler under load, it sounds more like a sales pitch than I'd want. On reflection, there is a bit more noise when running the system under full load, although it is not offensive, and I'm quite noise sensitive. This is possibly a moot point as my GPU is reasonably noisier than this cooler when the system is working hard. And it obviously depends on fan settings in the BIOS. I can never see the noise of the cooler becoming an issue, as it's rare that the CPU is working alone, the TV sound is off etc. In the real world it solved two problems for me: noise and heat. I simply don't have to think about them. I am so pleased I am in the process of getting another for a new PC build, there is no choice for me, this is it.
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 16.1 x 15 x 16.5 cm; 1.3 kg |
| Batteries | Unknown batteries required. |
| Item model number | NH-D15 |
| Manufacturer | Noctua |
| Series | NH-D15 |
| Colour | Brown |
| Processor Socket | Buchse AM2, Buchse AM2+, Buchse AM3, Socket AM3+, Socket FM1, Socket FM2, Socket FM2+, Socket H (LGA 1156), Socket H2 (LGA 1155), Socket H3 (LGA 1150), Socket LGA 1151, Socket R (LGA 2011), Socket R (LGA 2011-v3) |
| Computer Memory Type | Unknown |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Are Batteries Included | No |
| Lithium Battery Weight | 1.32 kg |
| Item Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Guaranteed software updates until | unknown |
